Adding fuses to older Wheelhorses?

[ebinmaine 67,553]

On older tractors that never had fuses, where would you add one?

Or more?

 

[ri702bill 8,327]

I did one on both the 854 8 speed and the C81. Near the + post on the battery - the wire going to the ammeter, I believe. No pictures - may have some later. Used a 25 amp blade style fuse with the snap over weather resistant cover - made a bracket to "mount" the one on the 854, not so on the C81.

Years ago I did have a "thermal event" with Dad's 702 - 50+year old ammeter wire chafed thru - lost the voltage regulator in the process. Adding a fuse is a good idea...

[Achto 27,594]

I add an inline fuse to all of my resto's. I use a 20amp fuse in between the main battery power source and its first connection.

 

Example : Between the hot side of the starter relay (same post that is connected to the battery "+") and the power to the ignition switch.

Or between the hot side of the starter relay and the amp gauge, if you have one.

[ebinmaine 67,553]

30 minutes ago, Achto said:

amp gauge

 

This is another question that's come up...

I'm thinking I'd like to have an ammeter in this tractor but I'm not overly fond of the possibilities of one shorting out although I do realize that's ultra rare.

I suppose probably a 20 or 25 amp fuse between the battery post and the ammeter would be the easiest way to avoid future issues?

 

 

[ri702bill 8,327]

That is exactly why i added those.....

[Achto 27,594]

3 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

I'm thinking I'd like to have an ammeter in this tractor

 

A volt meter will fit in the same hole as an ammeter. In less I'm trying to stay stock, I install a volt meter instead. 

[ebinmaine 67,553]

Just now, Achto said:

 

A volt meter will fit in the same hole as an ammeter. In less I'm trying to stay stock, I install a volt meter instead. 

Normally I do the same thing but I have two gauge holes on this tractor.

 

We don't use Hour Meters on anything we have. 

 

I have a couple ammeters laying around from eliminating them on previous builds.

 

Open to other suggestions of course.... 

[Achto 27,594]

I used an electrical panel hole cover to plug the extra hole on one of my tractors. Painted it the same color as the dash, bent the tabs out a bit more after installing. Example below, but should be available at your local hardware store.

 

https://www.grainger.com/product/52AW76?gucid=N:N:PS:Paid:GGL:CSM-2295:4P7A1P:20501231&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2uCZy8uc_QIVYTizAB0fIAfHEAQYASABEgL0U_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[ebinmaine 67,553]

2 minutes ago, Achto said:

I used an electrical panel hole cover to plug the extra hole on one of my tractors. Painted it the same color as the dash, bent the tabs out a bit more after installing. Example below, but should be available at your local hardware store.

 

https://www.grainger.com/product/52AW76?gucid=N:N:PS:Paid:GGL:CSM-2295:4P7A1P:20501231&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2uCZy8uc_QIVYTizAB0fIAfHEAQYASABEgL0U_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

I know there's a thread on here somewhere but I haven't tried to find it yet.... Is there another gauge you'd install just for the heck of it?

[Achto 27,594]

Just now, ebinmaine said:

Is there another gauge you'd install just for the heck of it?

 

Hour meter, maybe a compass incase you get lost in the woods??

 

https://www.ritchienavigation.com/product/ritchiesport-dash-mount-2/

[Racinbob 11,082]

I was thinking maybe an oil pressure gauge but that won't work on the older machines. Maybe temperature?

 

I've used the KO plugs like Dan mentioned.  A 1 1/2" electrical KO plug will work in a 2" hole but is a bit loose. Lowes (and others I'm sure) have actual sizes in their hardware dept. Even chromed if you want. 

[Handy Don 12,233]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

Normally I do the same thing but I have two gauge holes on this tractor.

 

We don't use Hour Meters on anything we have. 

 

I have a couple ammeters laying around from eliminating them on previous builds.

 

Open to other suggestions of course.... 

I’m happy that I have both a voltmeter and an ammeter on the 854 refurb (definitely NOT a resto ).

The voltmeter tells me what the battery/generator are up to and the ammeter gives me rate/state of charge/discharge.

The fuse is a good idea and I think I’ll be adding one!

[ri702bill 8,327]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

We don't use Hour Meters on anything we have. 

The one ticking away on the Colossus project won't count that high !!!  

[ebinmaine 67,553]

1 minute ago, ri702bill said:

The one ticking away on the Colossus project won't count that high !!!  

If that poor Beast had been connected all this time I would have need another 13 or 445 hour meters.   

[ri702bill 8,327]

Peek-tures.

The 854 was speciffically built to be a reinforced plowing tractor. I added a bent bracket to the left lower hood stand brace - both added fron a 1962 version... Zip tied in place.

I think it is important to choose a location that is out of the weather and accessable. Auto parts stores carry these - about 6 bucks and do not come with a fuse.

Important - these come in different gauge wire sizes AND temperature ratings - get a big un with the ability to survive next to a toasty Kohler...

 

 

[squonk 41,136]

10 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

Peek-tures.

 

 

 

 

looks like you need to clean yore Bat-Tree! 

[lynnmor 7,307]

25 minutes ago, squonk said:

looks like you need to clean yore Bat-Tree! 

When you see that corrosion from out-gassing, the Bat-Tree might be spent.  Have it tested.

[ri702bill 8,327]

Thanks - I'll grab the distilled water, baking soda and the wife's toothbrush... !!

[ebinmaine 67,553]

1 hour ago, squonk said:

Bat-Tree!

🦇 🌲    ?? 

[ri702bill 8,327]

1 hour ago, ri702bill said:

Thanks - I'll grab the distilled water, baking soda and the wife's toothbrush... !!

There actually IS truth in that - when we replace our toothbrushes, the old ones are not just kicked to the curb. They are relegated to become household cleaning brushes - one goes either downstairs or in the garage, the other in the kitchen junk drawer.....

[clueless 3,002]

On 2/17/2023 at 6:41 AM, Achto said:

 

A volt meter will fit in the same hole as an ammeter. In less I'm trying to stay stock, I install a volt meter instead. 

So how do I wire a volt meter using the wires that go to the ammeter on my C-160? Talk slow I'm color blind and electrical ain't my strong suit.

[squonk 41,136]

1 hour ago, clueless said:

So how do I wire a volt meter using the wires that go to the ammeter on my C-160? Talk slow I'm color blind and electrical ain't my strong suit.

Look at these diagrams. One is an ammeter hook up and the other is voltmeter. Same tractor

 

VOLTMETER

 

Voltmeter receives power from key switch thru the meter to ground. You do not want the meter hooked directly to the battery otherwise it will draw power all the time and wipe out the battery and you'll be cussin when you go to mow and it's dead. 

 

AMMETER

 

Ammeter gets constant 12 volts from the battery via shared connection at the solenoid. Power flows thru the meter to the key switch. Nothing happens unless key is turned on completing the circuit. Unless the ammeter or wire shorts out causing the tractor to burn up when you're out getting seafood take out. You come home and find out the Ghost of Joseph Lucas has paid you a visit and let the smoke out of your tractor! 

Edited February 18, 2023 by squonk

[clueless 3,002]

2 hours ago, squonk said:

Look at these diagrams. One is an ammeter hook up and the other is voltmeter. Same tractor

 

VOLTMETER

 

Voltmeter receives power from key switch thru the meter to ground. You do not want the meter hooked directly to the battery otherwise it will draw power all the time and wipe out the battery and you'll be cussin when you go to mow and it's dead. 

 

AMMETER

 

Ammeter gets constant 12 volts from the battery via shared connection at the solenoid. Power flows thru the meter to the key switch. Nothing happens unless key is turned on completing the circuit. Unless the ammeter or wire shorts out causing the tractor to burn up when you're out getting seafood take out. You come home and find out the Ghost of Joseph Lucas has paid you a visit and let the smoke out of your tractor! 

Thanks Mike, I can say the only time I ever dealt with Mr. Joe was in 1969 when an old neighbor lady gave my brother and I a 1958 Ford Anglia that didn't run good . First and last time dealing with him, come to think about it it may be why I'm a little skeptical when doing any wiring .

[Achto 27,594]

3 hours ago, clueless said:

So how do I wire a volt meter using the wires that go to the ammeter on my C-160? Talk slow I'm color blind and electrical ain't my strong suit.

 

Take the power wire from that goes to the ammeter and run it directly to the switch battery terminal. ( power to the switch )

 

Run a wire from a switch terminal that only has power with the switch on the "ON" position to the "+" side of the volt meter. Ground the "-" side of the volt meter.

[WheelHorse_of_course 99]

On 2/17/2023 at 7:41 AM, Achto said:

 

A volt meter will fit in the same hole as an ammeter. In less I'm trying to stay stock, I install a volt meter instead. 

 

One of each is what you actually want to fully comprehend what is going on. To simplify slightly, amps will tell you if your alternator is working, and volts will tell you if your battery is working (e.g. taking a charge).